UK NATIONAL LOTTERY OPERATOR CAMELOT SUPPORTS BRITISH OLYMPIC & PARALYMPIC TEAMS

Camelot, the operator of the UK’s National Lottery, has announced its support for the Team GB Olympic and ParalympicsGB teams ahead of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. 

Team GB and ParalympicsGB say they have conducted a comprehensive review of their operations to ensure athletes are met with COVID-secure environments to prepare for the games – which were postponed last year due to the global pandemic. 

Camelot says that every time a player buys a National Lottery ticket, they will be helping provide “life-changing support to Olympic and Paralympic athletes. Since National Lottery funding for elite sport began in 1996, over £2.8 billion has been invested in supporting British Olympic and Paralympic sport.

Nigel Railton, CEO of Camelot, said: “We’re delighted to support TeamGB and ParalympicsGB during what has been an extraordinary period for the whole of the UK. Throughout the pandemic, the safety and wellbeing of our employees has been our number one priority – so it seems fitting that this partnership will not only help ensure that the nation’s athletes are met with Covid-secure environments as they prepare for the Games, but will also give our employees further opportunity to be at their best every day.”

Andy Anson, CEO of the British Olympic Association, said: “The nation has been heavily impacted during the last 12 months and the Tokyo Games provide an amazing opportunity to generate a positive message.

“The support of Camelot is timely in ensuring that we’re able to maintain the world class environment for our athletes in Tokyo whilst incorporating the vital additional infrastructure to make sure our facilities are Covid-secure for our athletes and to allow them to reach the ‘start line’ in the best possible condition.

“We’re also excited to work with Camelot and their staff on our innovative wellness programme and share the lessons learned from the success of Team GB.”

Mike Sharrock, CEO of British Paralympic Association, said: “Like so many organisations the Covid-19 pandemic has had a major impact on the British Paralympic Association and this partnership with Camelot will help ensure we can deliver world class preparation and Games time environments to empower our athletes to achieve their goals this summer.

“Tokyo 2020 is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the resilience of the human spirit and we are confident ParalympicsGB can help unite and inspire the nation once again.”

AYO.NEWS says:

It’s great to see Camelot supporting the British Olympic efforts, but as we’ve said before, it is far too early to assume the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic is over. With new variants popping up almost daily, surging infections in many countries, and great uncertainty as to whether the vaccination program will be successful, it’s easy to see why many, especially in Japan itself, are saying holding the games this year would be grossly irresponsible – indeed, two recent surveys put Japanese opposition to the games being held this year at more than 80%.

With so many people around the world already seeing the Olympics as a huge gravy train and waste of money, can the International Olympic Committee really afford to run the risk of instigating a disaster by going ahead with the games this year?